Refrigerator-cab



E. PnssoN. RFRIGERATR GA3.

APFLCATIN FILED AUG- 14, H) l ,322,05 1 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. POSSON, REFRIGERAOR CAR.

APPLICATION man man. |916.

"Patented Nov. 1s, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- $5 Eg M LPOSSON.

REFRIGERMOR CAR.

l i nrucmon mso man, |916.

1 ,322,05/ Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

6 SHEETS-.SHEET 4.

E. POSSUN.

REFRIGERATDR CAR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-.14. |916.

1 ,322,05 1 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

E SHEETS-SHEE 5.

` w yzaardfsam ,mmmwm E. FOSSON.

REFRIGERATOB CAR.

APPLlcMmN mw Aua.14.19|e.

1 ,322,05 1 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEEI' 6.

EDWARD POSSON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

anrnzonnnronfoan,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

Application led August 14, 1916. Serial No. 114,783.

To all whom t may concern Bc it known that I, EDWARD PossoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Illinois, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerator- Cars, of which the following is a specifica-- tion.

This invention relates to improvements in cars, such as those of the type commonly known as refrigerator cars; and its purpose is to provide a sectional bulkhead for cars and to provide a convertible car whlch may be used as a refrigerator car for carrying fruits, vegetables, meats, or other kinds of perisha-ble freight, and which may be converted into an ordinary freight car by displacing the elements of the refrigerating apparatus so that they do not occupy any appreciable space within the oar.

In refrigerator cars of the type now generally used, a refrigerant compartment or ice box is constructed within the car at each end thereof, and means is provided for introducing ice through the hatchways, located generally in the roof of the car. Such cars are commonly used for carrying fruits, vegetables, and the like, 011 relatively long journeys, and on the return trips of such cars they are used as ordinary freight cars for containing articles of manufacture, and the like, which are shipped from the central market places to the regions where fruits, vegetables, and the like are grown. During these return trips of the cars the refrigerating apparatus is not used, and it will be apparent, therefore, that the space within the car o-ccupied by the ice boxes or refrigerating compartments is Wasted.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a sectional bulkhead for a railway car, whereby the space within the car may be divided into separate compartments. Another important object of my invention is to provide aprefrigerator car havin a refrigerant compartment, or ice bun er, of novel construction and arrangement, which may be rearranged within the car to occupy a very limited space therein when it is desired to use the car as an ordinary freight car with the refrigerating apparatus inoperative. A further feature of the invention is the provision of a partition or bulkhead separating the ice chamber from the interior of the car, which partition or bulkhead ma be` raised in a novel manner to occupy a position where it does not interfere with the usual freight contained within the car. A further feature is the provision of a partition or bulkhead composed of a plurality of complementary sections which may be moved vertically from their normal positions and arranged adjacent the roof of the car. A still further object is to provide a refrlgerant compartment having a plurality of walls, each of which may be moved from its normal position to an inoperative position, wherein it occupies a relatively small space within the car. Still another object 1s to provide a car comprising improved means for effecting a thorough air circulation within the can. Another feature is an improved air circulating floor. A further obJect is to provide a car having a refri erant compartment comprising removable end and side walls and a removable floor section which may be readily displaced from operative position or replaced in such position. Other objects relate to features of construction and arran ment, as will appear more fully hereinafgtr.

The various objects and advantages of my invention will a pear more clearly from the following speci cation taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section through a railway car embodying the features of my invention, showing the elements of the refrigerant compartment in normal operative positions.

Fig, 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing t e bulkhead, side walls, and door section of the refrigerant compartment supported in inoperative positions, illustratin the arrangement when the car is converted into an ordinary freight oar.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal longitudinal section through my improved car, showing the location and arrangement of the refrigerant compartment when the elements thereof are the section 23 has secured thereto a supplementary frame formed from the channel bars 23d of relatively small size, which have their lateral flanges directed outwardly from each other, and which have Secured thereto the air circulating screen 23". rhe downwardly extending iiange of the Z -bar 23c is adapted to engage a groove 30, which extends transversely of the car through the 10 supplementary floor 12, and the web of the upper Z-bar 23b extends inwardly beyond the body of the frame of the lower section to serve as a support for the edge of the floor section or grate 26, which will be more l5 fully described hereinafter. The upper and lower frame members of the section 23 of the bulkhead are spaced apart and reinforced by the vertically extending frame members 23f, and at each lower corner of the section 23 there is provided a supplementary frame 23g of channel bar construction, whereby an aperture 23h is formed to permit access to the interior of the cold air chamber 27 from the interior of the car, and to provide convenient means for manipulating the floor section when it is desired to move the same. Each end frame member 23a has secured thereto, and projecting therefrom, a pair of cylindrical lugs or trun- 30 nions 31. These lugs are adapted to slide in guideways formed 'by the channel bars 33, which are seated in grooves in the side walls of the car and secured to suitable frame members 34 of the side walls.

35 Each of the solid or closed sections of the bulkhead, designated by the numerals 24, is formed of upper and lower frame members 24El and 24h, respectively, having vertically extending frame members 24c secured thereto and extending therebetween. Suitable boards, -or the like, 24e are secured to the vertically extendin members 24, and the whole structure, so ormed is covered by a sheet of metal covering 24f. A lon 'tudinal flange or cleat 24g extends along t e upper edge of each section 24, except the uppermost section, and each of these flanges is adapted to seat in a groove 24h formed in the lower edge of the adjacent section 24,

it being understood that each section 24 is provided with one of these grooves, except the lowermost section, which seats upon the air circulating section 23. Each section 24 has a plate 34 secured to each end thereof,

and each plate carries two cylindrical lugs or trunnions 31 similar to the lugs 31 carried by the air circulating section 23. All of the lugs are adapted to slide in the guideways 33, and these guideways serve to hold the sections of the bulkhead in position, as illustrated, for instance, in Figs. 1 and 4, where it will be seen that these sections form a partition separating the ice chamber from the interior chamber 21 of the car. Each of thel sections 24 has a notch or depression 24j adjacent each of its ends, the notches extending inwardly from the outer sides and adjacent the lower edges of the wall sections to serve as hand holds for elevating the sections. Adjacent thc root' of the car each of 7o the guideways 33 is inclined upwardly, as shown at 33, and then directed horizontally,

as shown at 33, the portions 33b forming supports for the sections of the bulkhead after the latter have been moved upwardly '75 and thence horizontally in the uideways. The space between the upper sect1on 24 and the adjacent part of the car roof or ceiling is closed by the section 25 previously described, which is illustrated particularly in So Fig. 5, and which comprises a frame 25* formed ot' channel bars of relatively small section, having secured thereto the air circulating screen 25". This section 25 is secured to the adjacent roof section 19 by 85 means of hinges 250, so that the section 25 majv be swung upwardly into un inoperativix position, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 10, Vfor instance. When thus swung upwardly into a position adjacent the roof section. the section 25 may be engaged adjacent its free edge by a latch member 38, which is pivotally connected to the frame member 39, and arranged to swing about its vertical axis to engage the edge of the section 25.

After the section 25 has been moved upwardly, and secured in an inoperative position as just described, the bulkhead sections 23 and 24 may be moved vertically in the 100 guideways 33, and thence horizontally in the horizontal portion of the guideways which are located adjacent the roof of the car, until they occupy the positions illustrated, for instance, in Fig. 2. The movement of the bulkhead sections in the horizontal portions ot' the guideivays is limited by the adjustable stops 41, which are secured thereto, and these sections are retained in inoperative position in the horizontal sections 33b by 110 means of the gravity latches 42, which are pivoted on the side walls of the car at 43 and which are provided with downwardly extending shoulders or teeth 42a adapted to engage t e adjacent edge of the last bulkhead section to be moved into the horizontal portion of the guideways. When in this position the extremity 42 of the latches will rest upon the upper surface of the adjacent bulkhead section, and when it is desired to return the bulkhead sections to normal operative position the latches 42 may be raised manually to ermit such movement of the bulkhead sections. Then after these sections have been returned to the position illustrated in Fig` 1, the latch 38 is released and the section 25 swung downwardly, where it is secured in normal position by means of the latches 44, which are pivoted on the brackets 44, secured to the uppermost section 24 and 130 lll adapted to engage the lower edge ol the section 25.

rlhc grate or licor section 2U ol' the ice rhanlher comprises the transverse cleatsi or slats 26" and spacers 26", secured together by the rods 26". The inner extremities of these cleats or slats have secured to the lower edges ihelieof the angle bar 2G, which is adapted to rest upon the inwardly extending part of the upper frame member 23" olf the bulkhead .section 23, as previously described. Adjaicnt the other edge of the floor section there is mounted a frame member 4G, which ero lends transversely of the ear and forms the upper part of the end wall. of the cold air chamber This end wall comprises vertically extending frame members i7 having neared thereto the horizontal cleats 18; and lhe frame members #lli and 47 are secured to the verticallyI extending frame members or spacing members 50, which serre lo spare the inner cull wall section IP, olY Ilnl rz: r from the Ventilating wall 28 olf tln` ire rhamber. [linges 51 serve to connect the Hoor ,erection 'lo to the iframe member -ll ahorn referred lo, and )ermit this floor section to be swung upwardly from its normal position, as: illustrated in Figs. l and 11, to an inoperative position, as illustrated, for instance, in Fig. "2, where it lies alongside of the ventilating screen 2S, and in which position it is adapted to be secured by means of the latches 58, which are pivoted on the ends of the grate and adapted to swing into slots in the brackets 54 attached to the side walls of the car.

The side walls 29 of the ice chamber comprise the vertically extending frame inembers 29 secured to the transversely extend ing' frame members 29", and these frame members have secured thereto the screens El? Hinges 60 serve to provide a pivotal eonnec tion between the upper edges of these side walls 29 and the frame of the car adjacent the roof, so that when the bulkhead sections and the floor section have been moved Vto inoperative positions these side Walls 29, one of which is hinged at a lower level than the other, may be swung upwardly and arranged to overlap each other adjacent the center of the car, as shown, for instance in Fig. 4; One of the side walls 29 is first.

swung upwardly and fastened by the hook 62, attached to the roof of the car, and the other side wall then moved into its upper nosition, after which both end walls may be locked by passin the hook 63, which is suspended from t e lowermost section 29, through an aperture in the pin 64 carried by `a plate 64*L attached to the car roof and arranged to pass through alining apertures in the plate 65 secured to the frame members 29 of the end walls 29. When the walls 29 are in their normal positions parallel to the sides of the car, they are held against movenient by the angles 65 secured lo the lower bulkheiul section 24.

In the floor oi' the cold air chamber, he` Heath the ice chamber, there is provided a drain 66, which may have an outlet oi'I the usual form comprising a duet (66, having a hinged cap GG which permits the water to flow out of the drain GU, but prevents air from entering the car.

'F rom the foregoing description it will be apparent that l ha ve provided :in improved ice bunker, into which the ice may be placed through the hatchway 17, for instance, when it is desired to use lhe car as a refrigerator car. After the compartments have been charged with ice, it will be apparent that a continuons circulation of air will be mainlained. since the warm air collecting at the top ol lhe ear will move through the air circulating bulkhead section 25 into the upper pfart ol the ice chamber, and the air being cooled therein will pass through the Screens QH and All downwardly through the space between the screens 28 and 29 and the end wall of the car, thence through the cold air chamber Q7, and finally ont through the air ventilata-ing bulkhead section 23 'to the lower part of the car, or through the spaces beneath the sub-floor 12 to varlous parts of the car. In this way a continuous eireulation is n'iaintained, while at the same time the ice chamber is thoroughly inclosed, thereby preventing moisture from entering the interior chamber 21 of the car. When the ear is operated in the manner just de scribed, it is adapted for use in shipping fruits, vegetables, or other articles which are liable to decay or become spoiled if not maintained at a low temperature. How* ever, since articles and goods of this kind are usually shipped from one section of the country to some other section, and goods of a similar kind are not returned, the re# frigem-nt space of a refrigerator car is usually of no value during the return trip of the refrigerator car. It will be seen that my invention overcomes this diliculty by providing means whereby the refrigerant compartments, or ice bunkers, may be used as parts of the interior chamber of the car after the elements of the compartment walls have been moved to inoperative positions where they do not interfere with the goods which are contained within the car. The construction of the bulkhead is particularly advantageous, sinceA it permits the convenient removal of the bulkhead from its normal position, or the return of the same to its normal position by one or two operators, it being necessary to move only one section at a time. It Will further be apparent that when these bulkhead sections are in inoperative positions they are held securely and cannot be accidentally displaced so as to cause injury to persons or goods in the car.

The floor section of the ice chamber and the side Walls thereof may Valso be conveniently manipulated by one or two persons for the purpose of converting the refrigerator car into an ordinary freight car, Aor vice versa. It will heunderstood that I have referred to the ice bunkers as refrigerant compartments, as distin uished from the interior chamber 21, in W ich the goods are laced and which is commonly called the re rigerating chamber. Y Y i A thoughI have shown and describedra particular embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that itinayrbe constructedin various different forms without-departing from the scope of the invention asdefined-in the -a'ppended claims. Y

I claimi 1. In a refrigerator car, a refrigerant compartment having a movable wall extending transversely of the car and comprising a plurality of separate unconnected sections movable to an inoperative position adjacent the roof of the car.

2. In a refrigerator car, a bulkhead extending across the car and divided horizontally to form a plurality of complementary movable sections which separate the space within the car into refrigerant and refrigerating compartments.

3. In a refrigerator car, a refrigerant compartment having a wall comprising a plurality of co-mplementary unconnected sections extending parallel to each other, said sections being movable transversely to their longitudinal axes, and guides engaging the ends of said sections.

4. In a refrigerator car, a wall extending transversely of the car and comprising a plurality of slidably mounted sections, guides attached to sald wall and engaging the ends of said sections, and means adjacent the roof of said car for supporting said sections in inoperative position.

5. In a refrigerator car, a partition extending transversely of the car to form refrigerant and refrigerating chambers, said partition comprising a plurality of complementary horizontally extending sections movable vertically, and means attached to the side walls of said car for supporting and guiding said sections.

6. In a refrigerator car, a partition extending transversely of the car and comprising a plurality of complementary sections fordividing the car into refrigerant and refrigerating chambers, guides in which said sections are slidably mounted, and means adjacent the extremities of the guides for supporting said sections in an inoperative position.

7. In a refrigerator car, a partition extending transversely of the car and comprising a plurality of complementary sections for dividing the car into refrigerant and refrigerating chambers, guides in which said sections are slidably mounted, means adjacent the extreinitiesof the guides` for supporting said sections in.Y aninoperative positiom and means for retaining said sections in` position on the supporting means.

8. In a railway car, a refrigerant compartment having a wall comprising a plurality of movable parallel sections, and guides engaging the ends Vof said sections and arranged to permit the moving of said sections from normal position to a position adjacent a wall of said car.

9. In a refrigerator-car, a partition extending transversely of the car-andoomprising a `plurality of complainentaryV movable sections for d'ividin the car into refri erant and refrigerating c ambers, and gui es extending vertically Vadjacent the side walls of said car for supporting said sections and permitting movement thereof upwardly, said guides being extended horizontally adjacent the roof of the car to support said sections in inoperative ositions.

10. In a refrigerator car, a sectional partition extending transversely of the car and forming separate refrigerant and refrigerating chambers, guides at the end of said sections for supporting and permitting movement thereof, and air circulating means in said sections adjacent the upper and lower parts of said partition.

11. In a refrigerator car, a sectional partition extending transversely of the car, guides at the ends of saidsections for supporting` and permitting movement thereof, air circulating means provided in the lower section of said artition, and a supplementary air circu ating section hinged adjacent the roof of the car and arranged to engage the uppermost section of said partition.

12. In a refrigerator car, a sectional partition extending transversely of the car, guides at the ends of said sections for supporting and permitting movement thereof, air circulating means provided in the lower section of said partition, a supplementary air circulating section hinged adjacent the roof of the car and arranged to engage the uppermost section of said partition, means for securing said supplementary hinged section in position engaging the upper section of the partition, and means for supporting said supplementary section when the latter is swung upwardly adjacent the roof of the car.

13. In a refrigerator car, a sectional partition extending transversely of the car, guides at the ends of said sections for supporting and permitting movement thereof, air circulating means provided in the lower section of said partition, a supplementary air circulating section hinged adjacent the roof of the @sfr and armng to' @ngage tine uppermost section ofi sasid. parumion, means for securing' said supplementary higed slacti-on in posi-'kiwi `engafgn J the upper sentn of the partition, mms; efr `sufi swing said s'upememzry section wfem i? f latter is swung upwax'dy aualjaaiceritY #he of the ear, amd' mams for supperg' the sections of said paxrtiton whim move@ ufpwardrly out of saielV 14; In refrigerator cui', ai seetofnal brllkhewd exendiaasg tramsely A32E he om, means toF eTmt nfrxweilzfrea'tY of' the saeiions of said bul head fnom lzcertnalfZ sitbnl te= sm inspemtmfpositiom adjacent t reef ofhe cam, @up 'lementary side Walls spaced ifnwai-dly Y m1 the; side walsrof' the' om Aanni mevabe upwssrdiy toV inopfrative' ositons, a, Heer section @aswell upwamky 'om the Heer of ssi om@ and miovab upwardfly Mmmm 

